Local Expert Rates Our Parks’ Best Playgrounds
While some people call me a playground specialist, I consider myself just a two-year-old who loves to be outside, climb as much as I can, slide as fast as I can and swing really high.
One of my favorite things about living here is the awesome playgrounds. Since I get plenty of time at all the local playgrounds, I figured it was time to rate the best ones in the area so kids know where to tell their parents to take them on the perfect Saturday.
To give you a rating that is trustworthy for any kid to follow, I rated, on a scale of 1-10, the playground equipment (slides and climbing features, for example), swing sets and surrounding entertainment, in case we need a quick break during an afternoon play session. Playgrounds near train tracks, or ice cream spots, obviously get a couple of extra points. So, the maximum score for each playground is 30.
Off we go on a playground tour in Acworth and Kennesaw. Catch ya on the slides!
– By Parker Beall, with help from dad David
Acworth Sports Complex
For all you cool cats and kittens with older siblings, this is the spot for you! The playground is surrounded by ball fields, so you’ve got a spot to play while the little league games are going on.
This playground is extra special, because ALL my friends can play there since it was built with special needs children in mind. While the slides aren’t tall, my favorite part is the long balance beam where I can work on my Olympic routine to nail my dismount!
Total: 19/30
Playground: 8/10
Swing sets: 7/10
What’s around: 4/10
(You can play while your older brother or sister hits bombs on the ball fields!)
Cauble Park
This place is huge! It has some of the same features as Logan Farm Park, but you can probably convince mom or dad to pack a lunch and walk over to Acworth Beach after a nice long session at the playground!
Parking is $10 right now during beach and lake season, so I had the whole playground to myself! There are plenty of grassy areas around the playground, a walking trail for strollers and a nice view of the lake.
Total: 23/30
Playground: 7/10
Swing sets: 8/10
What’s around: 8/10
(You can walk to Acworth Beach!)
Depot Park Playground
Maybe the best thing about Depot Park (Kennesaw) is we pass it every day on the way home from school, and sometimes I can convince mom or dad to stop for a few quick trips down the slide. It’s one of the smaller playgrounds in the area without any swings, but, you can feel the train shake the ground as it rumbles through downtown Kennesaw just a few feet away.
There aren’t any swings at this spot, but I have convinced dad to walk down to a local ice cream shop for a cone, or, walk along the train tracks when the trains are taking a nap in the afternoon.
Total: 15/30
Playground: 5/10
Swing sets: 0/10
What’s around: 10/10
(Trains and ice cream!)
Logan Farm Park Playground
This place is super cool! My favorite part is that the “big kid” section is pretty safe even for us advanced little kids so mom and dad don’t chase me all over the place and worry about me falling. The slides are ginormous, the climbing walls are awesome and even the part for the babies, as I like to call them, is pretty cool. They have swings for babies, toddlers, big kids and even a tandem swing, so dad and I can swing together.
I’m big on the surrounding area at playgrounds, because I’m always going to shoot my shot and see if there is ice cream nearby. What’s the worst mom and dad say? Now my X-Ray vision didn’t pick up any popsicle or cold treat stands near the playground, but when I heard the whistle from the train rolling through town, I raced to the top of the playground and got a great view of the caboose before it disappeared.
Total: 26/30
Playground: 10/10
Swing sets: 10/10
What’s around: 6/10
(I need some cold treats visible from those tall slides.)
Swift-Cantrell Park, Kennesaw
My first reaction to this place was, “I don’t know what to do first,” because it’s HUGE! They recently renovated the playground and added artificial grass to the “little kid” area, which is nice because I sometimes get too excited, take off running and end up falling, so my knees appreciate it. The new climbing structures, merry-go-round, playhouse and slides are all the best in the business, and I have nothing but positive things to say about it.
My personal favorite section is the swings. They have baby swings, little kid swings, big kid swings and some with harnesses so I can go really high and give mom and dad a workout while I fly through the air.
The “big kid” playground nearby is pretty awesome too, and, while dad has to help me with some of the obstacles, it adds variety to the play session.
I’ve had my eye on the splash pad across the parking lot, but haven’t gotten the chance to check it out yet. Down the hill from the playground is the dog park and skate park, so watching the next Tony Hawk flip around on his board is pretty cool and acting all brave to the dogs behind the fence is always fun too.
Total: 26/30
Playground: 10/10
Swing sets: 10/10
What’s around: 6/10
(Those furry friends nearby are worth a few points.)
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